Comments You Will Not Hear at the APRIL 23, 2006 WT Study (March 15, 2006 issue, pages 21-25)(LOAD)
Review comments will be in redWT material from today's WT will be in black
Quotes from other sources will be in quotes boxes
w = Watchtower
g = Awake
www.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible (various Bible translations online)
www.reexamine.org (WT publications online)
www.silentlambs.org (child abuse)
www.ajwrb.org (blood issue)
http://www.randytv.com/secret/unitednations.htm (United Nations issue)
"EACH ONE WILL CARRY HIS OWN LOAD"
"Each of us will render an account for himself to God." -ROMANS 14:12.
Opening Comments
Remember when the article came out on alternative service making it a conscience matter. How it ignored that for many years it was a disfellowshipping offense for a JW to "choose" it, that it was their personal decision all along. Why do I get the feeling that the WTS is trying to "massage" the rank and file to accept another change in a major doctrine? Just a feeling, folks, nothing official.
http://www.geocities.com/le_thanh_y/Quit_files/AlternatServ.htm
START OF ARTICLE
Q1) What responsibility did three young Hebrews face up to?
1) THREE young Hebrews living in Babylon face a life-and-death decision. Should they bow down to a huge image, as required by the law of the land? Or should they refuse to worship it and be thrown into a burning fiery furnace? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego do not have time to consult anyone; neither do they need to do so. Without hesitation, they declare: "Let it become known to you, O king, that your gods are not the ones we are serving, and the image of gold that you have set up we will not worship." (Daniel 3:1-18) The three Hebrews carried their own load of responsibility.
Life and death decision (OT example)
Carried the own load of responsibility
What load of responsibility do JWs today have? Can they choose to wear a beard? Choose a skirt length? They style of car they drive; the house they live in, etc.
No family to ask? No priests to ask? Do you think when they took these government jobs that an act of loyalty was expected?
What about today? Do children of JWs get baptized to please their parents? Maybe they are even materially and emotionally blackmailed by their parents to do so?
Where was Daniel? Why wasn't he required to be there? Couldn't these 3 taken the same route?
*** w01 8/1 p. 31 Questions From Readers ***
Where was Daniel when the three Hebrews were tested before the huge image that Nebuchadnezzar had erected on the plain of Dura?
The Bible does not say, so no man today can establish Daniel's whereabouts during that test.
Some have suggested that Daniel's official rank or his standing in Nebuchadnezzar's favor was higher than that of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and that Daniel therefore was not obliged to go to the plain of Dura. Daniel 2:49 does indicate that for a time he had a position higher than that of his three companions. But we cannot prove that this exempted him from assembling with the others before the image.
Attempting to explain Daniel's absence, others have said that he might have been away on an official assignment or that he was sick and thus unable to attend. However, the Bible does not say that. In any case, Daniel's course must not have been open to criticism, for if it had been, jealous Babylonian officials would undoubtedly have used it to bring accusations against him. (Daniel 3:8) Both before and after this episode, Daniel proved himself to be an integrity keeper, loyal to God no matter what challenge he faced. (Daniel 1:8; 5:17; 6:4, 10, 11) So even though the Bible does not say why Daniel was not present on the plain of Dura, we can be confident that he was uncompromisingly faithful to Jehovah God.-Ezekiel 14:14; Hebrews 11:33.
Q2) Who, in effect, made Pilate's decision regarding Jesus Christ, and did that free the Roman governor from accountability?
2) Some six centuries later, the governor has heard the charges against the man. Upon examining the case, he becomes convinced that the accused is innocent. The crowd, though, demands his execution. After putting forth some resistance, the governor proves reluctant to carry his load of responsibility and gives in to pressure. Washing his hands, he states: "I am innocent of the blood of this man." Then he hands the man over to be impaled. Yes, instead of shouldering his responsibility to make a decision regarding Jesus Christ, Pontius Pilate lets others decide for him. No amount of water can absolve him of his accountability for passing that unjust sentence upon Jesus.-Matthew 27:1126; Luke 23:13-25.
Pontius Pilate--why a non-Christian example
Reluctant to carry his load of responsibility
Gives into pressure
Lets others decide for him--like the elders and "mature ones" in the congregation
How many "suggestions" are cues to the rank and file what the elders expect them to do?
WAIT ON JEHOVAH
The elders are imperfect
Two best and most frequent ways the WTS and their representatives the elders sidestep their load of responsibility
And "no amount of water can absolve" them of their accountability.
Q3) Why should we not let others make decisions for us?
3) What about you? When called upon to make decisions, are you like the three Hebrews, or do you allow others to make up your mind? Decision-making is not easy. It takes maturity to make right choices. For instance, parents need to make good decisions for their minor children. Of course, making a decision is very difficult when the situation is complex and various factors have to be weighed. However, the responsibility of making decisions is not so weighty as to be included among "the burdens," or "troublesome things," that those with "spiritual qualifications" may carry for us. (Galatians 6: 1, 2; footnote) Rather, it is a load for which "each of us will render an account for himself to God." (Romans 14:12) "Each one will carry his own load," states the Bible. (Galatians 6:5) How, then, can we make wise decisions in life? First, we must recognize our human limitations and learn what is needed to compensate for them.
parents need to make good decisions for their minor children
Letting them get baptized as young as 10 or 9 or 8.
*** w92 10/1 p. 22 'Should I Get Baptized?' ***
Ayumi got baptized when she was ten years old. She wanted to serve Jehovah because she really came to love him. Now she is 13 and just had the experience of seeing her Bible student, who has also come to love Jehovah, get baptized at the age of 12. Ayumi's younger brother Hikaru was also baptized at the age of ten. "Some said I was too young," he recalls, "but Jehovah knew how I felt. I was determined to get baptized once I decided to dedicate my life to serve him with all I had."
*** w52 1/1 p. 29 "Clean Worship" Assembly in Frankfurt ***
In less than two hours 50 baptizers immersed a grand total of 2,373, baptizing 1,545 women and 828 men, the oldest being 87 years of age and the youngest 8 years.
*** w96 10/15 p. 32 "Jehovah Answered My Prayers!" ***
Consider, for example, a boy named Joel. He symbolized his dedication to Jehovah and was baptized at nine years of age.
Do you allow others to make up your mind?
Notice how the WTS speaks out of both sides of their mouth. They want to "mold" your thinking.
*** w99 4/1 p. 20 Who Molds Your Thinking? ***
"NO ONE tells me what to think! And no one tells me what to do!" Saying that so emphatically usually means that you have great confidence in yourself and in your own judgment. Is that how you feel? Understandably, no one else should make up your mind for you. But is it wise to reject so quickly what might turn out to be good advice? Can no one at all ever help you to make wise decisions? Anyway, can you really be sure that someone is not, in fact, molding your thinking, without your even being aware of it?
Lack of information can be just as lethal as misinformation. So while it is true that you need to protect your mind from misleading ideas and philosophies, try not to develop a jaundiced and cynical view of all advice or information offered to you.-1 John 4:1.
Honest persuasion is not the same thing as hidden propaganda.
*** w94 5/15 p. 18 Youths-Whose Teaching Do You Heed? ***
Recall that Satan, in effect, told Eve: 'You are missing out. Live life the way you want. Make up your own mind as to what is good and what is bad.
A Key Requirement
Q4) What vital lesson about making decisions should we learn from the disobedience of the first human couple?
4) Early in human history, the first couple made a decision that brought disastrous consequences. They chose to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and bad. (Genesis 2:16, 17) What was the basis for their decision? "The woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was something to be longed for to the eyes, yes, the tree was desirable to look upon," says the Bible. "So she began taking of its fruit and eating it. Afterward she gave some also to her husband when with her and he began eating it." (Genesis 3:6) Eve's choice was based on selfish desire. Her action led Adam to join her. As a result, sin and death "spread to all men." (Romans 5:12) Adam and Eve's disobedience should teach us a vital lesson concerning man's limitations: Unless he adheres to divine guidance, man is prone to make wrong decisions.
What as Eve doing talking with a talking snake? Why didn't she go to Adam right away?
Eve's choice was based on selfish desire---not curiosity...where does the Bible say this?
Unless he adheres to divine guidance....prone to make wrong decisions
divine guidance = WTS guidance
*** w94 10/1 p. 8 The Bible-A Book Meant to Be Understood ***
CHANNEL TO UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE
JESUS assured us that after his death and resurrection, he would raise up a "faith-ful and discreet slave" that would serve as his channel of communication. (Matthew 24:45-47) The apostle Paul identified this channel to the Ephesian Christians when he wrote that "there might be made known through the congregation the greatly diversified wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose that he formed in connection with the Christ, Jesus our Lord." (Ephesians 3:10, 11) It was the congregation of anointed Christians, born at Pentecost 33 C.E., that was entrusted with the "things revealed." (Deuteronomy 29:29) As a group, anointed Christians serve as the faithful and discreet slave. (Luke 12:42-44) Their appointed assignment from God is to provide spiritual understanding of the "things revealed."
Even as Bible prophecy pointed forward to the Messiah, it also directs us to the close-knit body of anointed Christian Witnesses that now serve as the faithful and discreet slave. It helps us to understand the Word of God. All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the "greatly diversified wisdom of God" can become known only through Jehovah's channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave.-John 6:68.
Blurb on page 22: Adam and Eve's disobedience teaches us a vital lesson
Q5) What guidance has Jehovah provided for us, and what must we do to benefit from it?
5) How glad we can be that Jehovah God has not left us without direction! The Scriptures tell us: "Your own ears will hear a word behind you saying: `This is the way. Walk in it, you people,' in case you people should go to the right or in case you should go to the left." (Isaiah 30:21) Jehovah speaks to us through his inspired Word, the Bible. We must study the Scriptures and acquire accurate knowledge of them. To make correct choices, we should partake of "solid food [that] belongs to mature people." "Through use," we also "have [our] perceptive powers trained to distinguish both right and wrong." (Hebrews 5: 14) We can train our perceptive powers by applying what we learn from God's Word.
Not left us without direction--See channel quote above.
Jehovah speaks to us through his inspired Word--and the WTS/FDS/GB
*** w04 1/1 p. 30 Highlights From the Book of Genesis-I ***
Jehovah speaks to us through his written Word and gives direction through his organization. It is to our benefit to listen and obey.
*** w04 5/15 p. 12 Elderly Ones-Valuable Members of Our Christian Brotherhood ***
Likewise, you can draw sustenance from the waters of Bible truth by your study of God's Word and by association with his organization.
*** w04 8/1 p. 11 Jehovah Reveals His Glory to Humble Ones ***
This should motivate us to continue looking to Jehovah, his prophetic Word, and his organization for direction.
*** w04 10/15 pp. 4-5 Benefit by Pursuing Spiritual Values ***
Jehovah provides gems of truth through his Word, his spirit, and his organization.
*** w04 12/1 p. 14 Walk in the Way of Integrity ***
So it can be with us if we appreciatively reflect on the counsel that we receive through God's Word, his representatives, and his organization and allow it to settle deep within us.
Q6) What is necessary for our conscience to function properly?
6) Essential to the decision-making process is our inherited faculty of conscience. This faculty has the ability to render judgment, and we can be "accused or even excused" by it. (Romans 2:14, 15) For our conscience to function properly, however, it must be illuminated with the accurate knowledge of God's Word and made sensitive by application of that Word. An unenlightened conscience is easily influenced by local customs and habits. Our surroundings and the opinions of other people can also misguide us. What happens to our conscience when its proddings are repeatedly ignored and divine standards are violated? It can, in time, come to be marked "as with a branding iron," becoming like seared flesh covered over with scar tissue-insensitive and unresponsive. (1 Timothy 4:2) On the other hand, a conscience trained by God's Word is a safe guide.
Essential....conscience
Function properly...illuminated with...God's Word....application
easily influence by local customs
Such as wedding rings
White bridal dresses
Bridesmaids
Opinions of other people (non-JWs?) can also misguide us
*** w98 3/15 p. 22 Living Up to Christian Dedication in Freedom ***
If a Witness makes decisions on the basis of Bible counsel offered by the Governing Body, he does so of his own volition because his own study of the Bible has convinced him that this is the proper course. Each Witness is influenced by God's own Word to apply sound Scriptural counsel offered by the Governing Body, in full recognition that decisions he makes will affect his personal relationship with God, to whom he is dedicated.-1 Thessalonians 2:13.
Try voting or taking a blood transfusion (or a organ transplant from 1967 to 1980).
Q7) What is a key requirement in making wise decisions?
7) A key requirement for shouldering the responsibility to make wise decisions, then, is an accurate knowledge of the Scriptures and the ability to apply it. Rather than impulsively jumping to conclusions when faced with choices, we ought to take time to search for godly principles and exercise our thinking ability in applying them. Even when called upon to make an on-the-spot decision-as were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego--we are well-equipped if we have accurate knowledge of God's Word and our conscience has been trained by it. To see how pressing on to maturity can sharpen our decision-making ability, let us consider two areas of life.
Has the WTS provided accurate knowledge of the scriptures?
Jesus presence, 1874 or 1914
Jesus king in heaven, 1878 or 1914
Superior authorities--until 1929, secular authorities; 1929 to 1962, God and Jesus, 1962 to 2006, secular authorities
People of Sodom and Gomorrah--resurrected or not, they have been in out of Gehenna many times
Should a woman scream if being raped or she will be DF'd
Will the 1914 generation see the "end"?
Impulsively jumping to conclusions
Why is the WTS not specific, giving examples?
Who Will Be Our Associates?
Q8, 9) (a) What principles show the necessity of avoiding bad associations? (b) Does having bad association refer only to direct fellowship with unprincipled people? Explain.
8) "Do not be misled," wrote the apostle Paul. "Bad associations spoil useful habits." (1 Corinthians 15:33) Jesus Christ told his disciples: "You are no part of the world." (John 15:19) Upon learning these principles, we quickly see the need to avoid fellowship with fornicators, adulterers, thieves, drunkards, and the like. (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10) As we progress in knowledge of Bible truth, though, we realize that spending time with such individuals by watching them in movies, on television, or on computer screens or by reading about them in books is just as damaging. The same can be said of associating in Internet chat rooms "with those who hide what they are."-Psalm 26:4.
Avoid fellowship with fornicators, adulterers, thieves, drunkards, and the like
movies, television, computer screens, books, INTERNET CHAT ROOMS
Hide what they are (is this a JWD reference?) That's right, JWD doesn't have a chat room.
Based on that, what could a JW watch? Spiritism cancels out just about every Disney movie. Examine any movie, book, televisionn show....do any of them have no mention of the foregoing?
How can JWs avoid the JW pedophiles allowed to function in the congregation by the elders and WTS?www.silentlambs.org
9) What about having close association with those who may be morally clean but who lack faith in the true God? The Scriptures tell us: "The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one." (1 John 5:19) We come to discern that bad associations are not limited to permissive or morally debased people. Hence, we are wise to cultivate close friendships only with those who love Jehovah.
close association with those who may be morally clean but who lack faith in the true God?
Translation--anyone who is not a JW even if they claim to be Christian.
The WTS teaches that all non-JWs worship Satan directly or indirectly.
That all non-JWs will be destroyed forever without any hope of a resurrection, including babies and small children.
Q10) What helps us to make mature decisions with respect to our contact with the world?
10) Completely avoiding contact with those in the world is neither possible nor required. (John 17:15) Sharing in the Christian ministry, attending school, going to work all involve contact with the world. A Christian married to an unbeliever may have to rub shoulders with the world more than others do. Having our perceptive powers trained, however, we appreciate that it is one thing to have necessary limited contact with the world and quite another to cultivate close ties with it. (James 4:4) Thus, we are able to make mature decisions as to whether we will participate in extracurricular activities at school, such as sports events and dances, and attend parties and dinners arranged for fellow employees.
Completely avoid contact with those in the world is neither possible nor required.
A Christian married to an unbeliever may have to rub shoulders with the world more than others do.
Christian--only JWs
Poor JW being forced to associate with a non-JW mate and be contaminated.
Extracurricular activities at school, such as sports events and dances.
Does that mean that adult JWs cannot go to sporting events. I can think of 4 elders off hand that have season tickets for basketball and football games.
Attend parties arranged for fellow employees.
Does that mean not going to retirement parties and showers at work? That will get you a stuck-up reputation.
What about non-JW family reunions? What about non-JW family graduation parties? What about dinner with non-JW family members? What about non-JW family anniversaries? What about non-JW family wedding receptions and funerals that do not have religious overtones? Can you see you non-JW family only if you are "witnessing" to them?
Choosing Employment
Q11) What is the first consideration in making employment decisions?
11) Applying Bible principles in a mature way helps us in making decisions about how we fulfill our obligation to `provide for the members of our household.' (1 Timothy 5:8) The first consideration is the nature of the work itself-what it requires us to do. Choosing a type of work that promotes what is directly condemned in the Bible is definite ly wrong. So true Christians do not accept jobs that may involve idolatry, stealing, misuse of blood, or other unscriptural practices. We would also not lie or cheat, even if an employer demands that we do so.-Acts 15:29; Revelation 21:8.
Obligation to provide for the members of our household
Can a JW get adequate education to do so?
Nature of the work...directly condemned in the Bible
Idolatry, stealing, misuse of blood, or other unscriptural practices.
So a JW can accept a blood fraction like hemoglobin made out of stored blood when the Bible says blood should be poured out?
true Christians--only JWs
Not lie or cheat, even if an employer demands that we do
But a JW can lie if the WTS demands it.
*** g00 2/8 p. 21 Lying-Is It Ever Justified? ***
Of course, being truthful does not mean that we are obligated to divulge all information to anyone who asks it of us. "Do not give what is holy to dogs, neither throw your pearls before swine, that they may never . . . turn around and rip you open," warned Jesus, at Matthew 7:6. For example, individuals with wicked intent may have no right to know certain things. Christians understand that they are living in a hostile world. Thus, Jesus advised his disciples to be "cautious as serpents" while remaining "innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:16; John 15:19) Jesus did not always disclose the full truth, especially when revealing all the facts could have brought unnecessary harm to himself or his disciples. Still, even at such times, he did not lie. Instead, he chose either to say nothing or to divert the conversation in another direction.-Matthew 15:1-6; 21:23-27; John 7:3-10.
Faithful men and women mentioned in the Bible, such as Abraham, Isaac, Rahab, and David, were likewise shrewd and cautious when dealing with potential enemies. (Genesis 20:11-13; 26:9; Joshua 2:1-6; 1 Samuel 21:10-14) The Bible classifies such men and women as faithful worshipers whose lives were characterized by obedience. That makes them worthy of imitation.-Romans 15:4; Hebrews 11:8-10, 20, 31, 32-39.
The WTS has a "Talmud" that will soon have if it doesn't, more than 600 'laws.'
No beards for men
No shaved heads for men
Women's hair must be longer than 1/2"
No building new houses unless you are an elder
No sports cars or high priced cars
No dangerous sports...better no sports at all
No keeping score regardless of the game you play, too competitive
No divorcing your physically abusive husband unless your life is threatened (what is a few bruises, they heal up fast)
If 2 people of the opposite sex are alone at night, sex has occurred and they can be disfellowshipped; if it happens during the day..........
Strong circumstantial evidence, such as pregnancy or evidence (testified to by at least two witnesses) that the accused stayed all night in the same house with a person of the opposite sex (or in the same house with a known homosexual) under improper circumstances, is acceptable. (Pay Attention To Yourselves and To All the Flock, Confidential Elders-Only Rule Book; 1991, Page 110)
Blurb on page 24: Before making an important decision, search out godly principles
Q12, 13) What are some factors besides the work itself that are significant in making employment decisions?
12) What if the work itself does not specifically violate any divine requirement? As we grow in knowledge of the truth and our perceptive powers improve, we come to discern other criteria that must be considered. What if the work would involve us in an unscriptural practice, such as answering phones at a gambling establishment? The source of pay and the location of the employment also enter into the picture. For example, would a Christian who is a self-employed contractor bid on a job that involves painting one of the churches of Christendom and thereby share in helping to promote false religion?-2 Corinthians 6:14-16.
Answering phones at a gambling establishment (or in a hotel owned by the establishment)
Answering phones at a hotel across the street from a gambling establishment where 99% of the customers are there to gamble across the street
Self-employed contractor bid on a job that involves painting one of the churches of Christendom
Sell a KH to be used as a church of Christendom; buy a church to be used as a KH
13) What if on one occasion our employer accepts a contract to beautify a place of false worship? In this case, we would need to consider such factors as the extent of our having authority over what is being done and the degree of our involvement. And what about performing a legitimate service, such as delivering mail everywhere in a community, including places that promote wrong practices? Would not the principle stated at Matthew 5: 45 have a bearing? Not to be overlooked is how doing the work day in and day out might affect our conscience. (Hebrews 13:18) Indeed, carrying our load of responsibility in making mature decisions regarding employment calls for us to sharpen our perceptive powers and train our God-given faculty of conscience.
One occasion our employer accepts a contract...our having authority...our degree of involvement
One occasion our employer accepts a contract to murder someone, build a bomb........
Delivering mail....places that promote wrong practices
Affect our conscience
How will many JWs judging us affect us; how will the elders not giving us privileges or taking away privileges affect our "conscientious" decision?
God-given or WTS-give faculty of conscience?
"In All Your Ways Take Notice of Him"
Q14) In making decisions, what measures should we take?
14) What about the decisions we make regarding other matters, such as pursuing secular education and accepting or rejecting certain medical treatment? When we are faced with making any decision, we must ascertain pertinent Bible principles and then use our mental faculties in applying them. "Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding," said wise King Solomon of ancient Israel. "In all your ways take notice of him, and he himself will make your paths straight."-Proverbs 3:5, 6.
Pursuing secular education
What happens to many JWs who conscientiously pursue higher education making choices that do not put their Christian beliefs at risk or interfere with meeting attendance and field service?
Will they be approached by the elders and told that their choices are setting a bad example?
*** w96 12/1 p. 19 Youths Who Remember Their Creator ***
If you pursue secular education beyond what is required by law, wisely examine your reason for doing so. Is it to make a name for yourself and to get material riches? (Jeremiah 45:5; 1 Timothy 6:17) Or is it your goal to use supplementary education to share more fully in Jehovah's service? Lydia, a youth who chose to pursue further education, expressed a fine focus on spiritual matters, explaining: "Others pursue higher education and let materialism get in the way, and they've dropped God. Personally my relationship with God is the most important thing to me." What a commendable attitude for all of us!
Accepting/rejecting certain medical treatment
Will JWs be told by "mature" ones that going to a psychiatrist is risky for a JW?
*** w77 11/1 p. 668 Insight on the News ***
A basic problem of psychiatry is that counsel can differ with each psychiatrist. Also, there is no overall general acceptance of standards for human behavior. That is why those who turn to the Creator of the mind and body, Jehovah God, and observe his counsel for mental health find much more practical help than those who go to psychiatrists. The Bible's counsel is time tested, applies to any period of history and is consistent.
Ascertain pertinent Bible principles--pertinent WTS doctrine and policy
Trust in God or the WTS?
*** w03 9/1 p. 13 Trust in Jehovah Completely in Times of Distress ***
In the preceding article, we learned that our trust in Jehovah is manifested when we turn to him in prayer, when we seek direction from his Word, and when we look to his organization for guidance.
Are we not grateful for the trustworthy guidance Jehovah provides through his organization?
Q15) What do we learn from the first-century Christians about making decisions?
15) Often, the choices we make affect others, and we need to give consideration to this. The first-century Christians, for example, were no longer under many of the dietary restrictions of the Mosaic Law. They could choose to eat certain foods that were considered unclean under the Law and were not objectionable in other ways. However, the apostle Paul wrote about meat of an animal that might have some link with an idol temple: "If food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat flesh at all, that I may not make my brother stumble." (1 Corinthians 8: 11-13) The early Christians were encouraged to show consideration for the consciences of others so as not to stumble them. Our decisions should not make us "causes for stumbling."-1 Corinthians 10:29,32.
choices we make affect others
THE STUMBLING CLAUSE REARS IT HEAD. When all else fails, the WTS pulls this out of the hat.
If food makes my brother stumble...I will never again eat flesh at all
I know a sister who is horrified to see people eat meat...I have never seen any of the elders take up vegetarianism because of it.
I think I should have been stumbled by the Super Bowl and make a big stink about it.
Seek Godly Wisdom
Q16) How is prayer a help to us in making decisions?
16) An invaluable aid in making decisions is prayer. "If any one of you is lacking in wisdom," says the disciple James, "let him keep on asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching; and it will be given him." (James 1:5) With confidence, we can turn to Jehovah in prayer and ask for the needed wisdom to make proper decisions. As we talk to the true God about our concerns and seek his guidance, holy spirit may help us better understand the scriptures that we are considering and bring to mind those we may have overlooked.
Invaluable aid...prayer
But after praying to God, run to the elders to make sure you are making the right decision because if it is wrong, they will be the ones talking to you about it, how it stumbles others, how you will lose privileges if you persist, how your husband will lose privileges, how you could be removed.
Holy spirit MAY helps us better understand the scriptures...bring to mind those we may have overlooked
Does this mean we can understand the Bible without the aid the the FDS?
Does this mean we can stay home and study the Bible on our own and holy spirit will help us understand it?
*** w81 2/15 p. 19 Do We Need Help to Understand the Bible? ***
We all need help to understand the Bible, and we cannot find the Scriptural guidance we need outside the "faithful and discreet slave" organization.
So why pray to God, when he reveals his thoughts only through the WT organization?
Rather it should say, "Holy spirit will help us better understand the WT teachings through its publications...bring to mind those articles we may have overlooked."
Q17) How can others help us in the decision-making process?
17) Can others help us in making decisions? Yes, Jehovah has provided mature individuals in the congregation. (Ephesians 4:11, 12) They can be consulted, particularly if the decision is a major one. Individuals who have deep spiritual insight and are experienced in life can bring to our attention additional godly principles that may have a bearing on our decision and help us to "make sure of the more important things." (Philippians 1:9, 10) However, a word of caution is appropriate: We must be careful not to let others make decisions for us. The load of responsibility is ours to bear.
Mature individuals
Translation: Elders, unless a sister needs some advice on menopause or menstration.
Bring our attention to godly principles
WTS doctrine and policy
WE MUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO LET OTHERS MAKE DECISIONS FOR US.
Translation: Not let the "wrong" persons make decisions for us.
Translation: If you make the wrong decision according to the elders/WTS, you will find out and be punished. Why guess, go and ask them what the right decision is from the beginning.
The Outcome - Always Good?
Q18) What can be said about the outcome of a good decision?
18) Will decisions that are solidly grounded on Bible principles and made conscientiously always lead to a good outcome? Yes, in the long run. At times, though, the short-term effect may bring adversity. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew that death might be the outcome of their decision not to worship the huge image. (Daniel 3:16-19) Similarly, after the apostles told the Jewish Sanhedrin that they must obey God as ruler rather than men, they were flogged before being set free. (Acts 5:27-29, 40) Moreover, "time and unforeseen occurrence" may adversely affect the result of any decision. (Ecclesiastes 9:11) If we suffer in some way despite having made a right decision, we can be confident that Jehovah will help us to endure and will bless us in the end.-2
Corinthians 4:7.
Bible principles
As interpreted by the WTS
In the long run
Translation: If YOU CHOOSE not to further your education and end up struggling financially...If a family member CHOSE not to have an organ transplant between 1967 and 1980 and died, if you CHOSE not to accept alternative service when it was officially forbidden by the WTS, and spent many years in prison, don't blame the WTS.
If we suffer in some way despite having made a right (THE WTS) decision, we can be confident that Jehovah will help us to endure and will bless us in the end.
Q19) How can we courageously carry our own load of responsibility in making decisions?
19) When making decisions, then, we must seek out Scriptural principles and use our mental ability to apply them. How grateful we can be for the help Jehovah has provided by means of his holy spirit and the mature ones in the congregation! With such guidance and provisions, let us courageously carry our own load of responsibility in making wise decisions.
Seek out Scriptural principles...holy spirit...mature ones
It is no accident that "mature ones" are mentioned last. They are the ones that really make the decisions.
Concluding Comments
Next week: Keep Clear of False Worship. See how the WTS manages to mention the destruction of Babylon the Great, show a picture of the scarlet-colored beast pouncing on her, and never mention the UN, only "world governments."
The article right after this article is "New Members of the Governing Body." Of note, the last sentence says "All members of the Governing Body are anointed Christians." Since this went to print, both Albert Schroeder and Dan Sydlik have died putting them at 8 GB members again.
Food for Thought: How many find it difficult but refreshing to really make your own decisions since you left the WTS behind?
Still getting the flower beds ready, mowed the lawn for the first time, cleaned out the garage, got the vehicle in shape.
Love, Blondie
What Did You Learn?
- What is a key requirement for making good decisions?
- How does progressing to maturity affect our choice of associates?
- What are some important factors that we ought to consider when making
decisions regarding employment?
- What help is available in making decisions?